Chasing unpaid fees is an exhausting reality for many freelancers and independent professionals. Recently, media manager and entrepreneur Krupa Kotecha shared her frustrating corporate experience on social media. She stated that she helped an Indian founder build her LinkedIn profile over a three-month contract, only to be ghosted and blocked after the second month.
According to her posts, she trusted the client without taking an advance payment and delivered work exceeding expectations. When she asked for her ₹50,000 dues, the client allegedly terminated the contract abruptly and cut off all communication. While social media users debated whether to name-and-shame the client or let it go, the situation highlights a serious issue faced by independent workers across India: what happens when a client refuses to pay?
What The Law Says: Breach of Contract in India
When you provide professional services to a client, you enter into a legally binding agreement—even if it is only discussed over WhatsApp, email, or informal chats. Under the Indian Contract Act, 1872, a mutual agreement where one party promises to provide a service and the other promises to pay for it constitutes a valid contract.
When a client accepts your work deliverables but refuses to clear your payment, it amounts to a breach of contract. Section 73 of the Indian Contract Act allows the injured party to claim compensation for any loss or damage caused, which naturally includes your hard-earned service fees.
Legal Remedies Available for Unpaid Dues
If you find yourself in a situation where a client refuses to pay for completed work, Indian law provides several avenues to seek justice:
- Sending a Legal Notice: The first standard step is to have a lawyer draft and send a formal legal notice to the client. This document outlines the breach of contract, details the unpaid amount, and sets a strict deadline for payment before court proceedings begin.
- Filing a Recovery Suit: If the client ignores the legal notice, you can file a summary suit for recovery of money under Order 37 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, especially if you have written proof like emails, WhatsApp chats, and invoices.
- MSME Samadhaan Portal: If your freelance business or micro-enterprise is registered under the MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) Act, you get a powerful legal safeguard. Delayed payments to registered MSMEs can be filed directly on the government’s MSME Samadhaan portal for fast-track dispute resolution.
Why This Matters For You
Verbal agreements and trust are great, but the corporate world runs on documentation. This incident serves as a strong reminder for everyday freelancers, creators, and consultants to always secure a written contract or clear email trail before starting any project. Insisting on a partial advance payment is not just a business preference—it is a practical shield against financial exploitation.
Never ignore the paper trail, because your chat screenshots and email attachments are your strongest legal weapons when things go south.
Story reported by Top Trending News, Viral Videos, Latest Viral News, Odd News, Memes and Puzzles, Social Media Viral News | Hindustan Times | Hindustan Times. This article is BareLaw’s independent explanation and analysis.
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